Leonard R. Raley

President and CEO

The University System of Maryland Foundation

Leonard Raley is President and CEO of the University System of Maryland Foundation, Inc. (USMF), and is responsible for close to $1 billion in assets under management on behalf of 12 institutions within the University System of Maryland (USM) and five Maryland community college foundations. With a board of 55 members, Leonard has helped guide the USMF to engage in best governing practices for non-profit institutionally related foundations. Leonard also serves as Vice Chancellor for Advancement for the USM and is responsible for providing leadership in support of the USM’s fundraising efforts, including a recently completed $2.1 billion federated fundraising campaign.

Prior to the USM, Leonard served for more than eight years as Executive Director of the Ohio University Foundation and Vice President for University Advancement. He also served as Executive Director of the University of Maryland Alumni Association, and later as Assistant Vice President for Development at the University of Maryland. Leonard started his career at Towson University in the office of undergraduate admissions and eventually served as Director of Alumni Services. Leonard’s advancement programs have been the recipient of numerous Circle of Excellence Awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in Development, Alumni Relations, and Communications.

Leonard currently serves as chairman of board for both the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber (BWCC) and his high school, St. Mary’s Ryken, located in southern Maryland. Additionally, Leonard is immediate past chair of the CASE National Committee for Institutionally Related Foundations. He frequently contributes and speaks at conferences and events for CASE and the Association of Governing Boards (AGB).

Leonard earned an MBA from the University of Baltimore and a BS in Business Administration from Towson University. Leonard and his wife, Suzanne, have two daughters, Allison and Elyse (who is married to Matthew Dillinger). Leonard is an avid sports fan and has been known to celebrate Purple Fridays and wear an Orioles cap around the office.

Our Vision

Our vision is to attract broad resources that transform the USM and its institutions, create a network of advocates to embrace the USM’s role as an educator and economic engine, and to grow a long-term, sustainable culture of philanthropy across the University System of Maryland.